O.P.I Nail Envy Strength + Color Review and Photos

OPO Nail Envy Strength and Color

O.P.I Original Nail Envy is by far my holy grail treatment base coat, because not only has this helped my nails considerably throughout the years, it's also something I use every time I do my manicure.

Original Nail Envy can be used as a weekly system to help treat the nails or as a regular base coat with colour, it also comes in six different formulas to cater for many nail concerns.

A few years ago I had seen a Pink Nail Envy that was only available on QVCUK, but this was always hard to get hold off and I did wonder why this wasn't widely available, as it was such a great idea to have a colour and treatment in one. Much to my excitement O.P.I finally released four Original Nail Envy's with colour! I picked up three out of the four to show you, so here's my thoughts.

These retail for the usual £19.50 just like the others within the collection. As I mentioned above the Original Nail Envy Strength + Color comes in four shades including,
1. Pink to Envy Nail Envy
2. Nail Envy in Bubble Bath
3. Nail Envy in Samoan Sand
4. Nail Envy in Hawaiian Orchid
I picked three out of the four pink shades to try.



OPI Nail Envy Pink to Envy

This is a sheerest of the four and purely just adds a touch of pink to the nails, as well as helping them appear brighter.

OPI Nail Envy Bubble Bath

This is my favourite of the three shades I picked out and if your familiar with the colour Bubble Bath, then you'll know it's a beautiful baby pink. I applied three coats to get an opaque finish.

OPI Nail Envy Hawaiian Orchid

If your after a bit more colour, then this is the deepest pink out of the four shades O.P.I have to offer. It is a dusky, medium pink colour, which is opaque in two coats.

As with the original Nail Envy, if you are using this as a treatment, it's advised to start with two coats at the start of the week and then add another coat every other day until the end of the week, where you take it off and start again. The only thing I would say with these tinted versions is they do take a little longer to dry, so just bear this in mind when applying.

 

Overall these are a fantastic edition to the Nail Envy family and are just perfect for anyone who wants to strengthen and grow their nails, but at the same time likes to have colour on too. I just love the fact that these colours are in the original formula, as for me the original is the best. If these are successful, I can't wait  to see if O.P.I expand their Nail Envy colour range further, to a more wider shade selection beyond the pink hues.

 

I award the O.P.I Nail Envy Strength and Color 4.9 out of 5

Nail Polish Essentials Starter Kit

As you know I love nail polish, probably a little too much sometimes! Each time I do my nails there's a few essentials I swear by to get the best out of my manicure and keep my nails in tip top condition. So if your just starting out or need a helping hand in deciding what should be in your manicure kit, check out my handy guide to my nail essentials starter kit.

What's your go to nail product you couldn't live without? Leave a comment below or tweet me.

Leighton Denny Crystal Nail File

1. Crystal Nail File - Not only does a crystal nail file last a lifetime, it's also a lot better for your nails than a conventional file, meaning you can go back and forth, without worrying your damaging your nails.

O.P.I Avoplex Exfoliating Cuticle Treatment

2. Cuticle Cream - Cuticles need to be looked after as much as your actual nails, to keep them in good condition, choose a cuticle remover cream or exfoliating one to remove cuticle skin with ease.

3. Cuticle Clippers - I don't recommend using these for cutting your cuticles, that's what the cream is for, for removing them safety. But these are good if you have any hanging skin or hang nails on the sides of your nails.

Leighton Denny Diamond VIP Buffer

4. 3 Way Buffer - This is a great thing to have in your kit for creating a smooth surface ready for polish application or for giving a healthy shine to the nails if you want sport bare nails.

5. Cuticle Stick - I love this little stick for not only pushing my cuticles back but for cleaning up any unwanted nail polish around my nail using the flat side, dipped in polish remover.

Vasaline Healthy Hands, Stronger Nails

6. Hand Cream - This is a great essential product to have everywhere, in the car, by your bed, by the sink and in your bag. It helps keeps your hands moisturised and looking healthy.

O.P.I Original Nail Envy

7. Treatment Base Coat - A base coat is a must every time to prevent staining, but it's can also help treat the nail too. I love the Original Nail Envy by O.P.I and have done for years as it treats the nail, helping it breathe whether your have colour on or not.

Essie Ballet Slippers

8. Nude Polish - If your just getting into nail polish or want to build your collection, there is three main colours I recommend every girl should own. The first is a nude polish, I love a nude/pink like this one from Essie, it's just looks timeless and pretty.

Nails Inc. Porchester Square

9. Taupe Polish - Taupe nail polish has become more trendy over the past few years and is a great staple colour to have in your kit, as it goes with anything and looks chic and sophisticated.

O.P.I - Big Apple Red

10. Red Polish - A pillar box red is a must, as it's classic and will never go out of fashion, say no more.

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

11. Dry Fast Top Coat - Back in the day when I first got into nail polish, a dry fast top coat was unheard off, you simply had to wait patiently until your polish was dry, which in my opinion never worked out as I always ended up with some kind of in print on my nails! But nowadays there is a wealth of dry fast saviours on the market and I think this really is a no brainer for a fool proof manicure.

O.P.I Avoplex Cuticle Oil

12. Cuticle Oil - Even if you don't have a hand cream, a cuticle oil is a must as it keeps the nails looking healthy and conditioned. Use it not only on the cuticle but over the whole of the nail too.

13. Cotton Wool - Kind of a self explanatory item to have in your kit, but a must if you like to change up your nail polish often. I always stock up if it's on offer.

O.P.I Expert Touch Polish Remover

14. Nail Polish Remover - Another must have item, try picking a remover that is acetone free as these are less harmful and drying on the nails. I would only recommend acetone removers for removing chunky glitter polishes as they tend to need a little extra help.

Zoella Eyes Beauty Bag

 

Last but not least store all your nail essentials in one place, like a make-up bag, so that when your ready to do your nails you can grab your bag with everything in it and set up your own nail workstation!

My Top 6 Nail Essentials featuring O.P.I Nail Envy and Seche vite Dry Fast Top Coat

From Left to Right - O.P.I Avoplex Exfoliating Cuticle Treatment, O.P.I Avoplex Moisture Replenishing Lotion, Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat, O.P.I Avoplex Nail & Cuticle Replenishing Oil, Leighton Denny Crystal Nail File & O.P.I Original Nail Envy

 

As a Beautician I often get asked what is good for your nails, how do you keep your nails so nice, how do I stop them from breaking etc. The answer is you need to treat your nails like jewels dipping them in washing up liquid is a cardinal sin as it strips the nail and just isn't very good for the nail full stop, I always say,  'you wouldn't wash your hair in washing up liquid would you?' Wearing gloves is crucial when doing any household jobs and making sure you use the right products to get the most from your nails is key. The above are defiantly my top six nail products to keep my nails looking good, I'm not saying they work for everyone but from my experience of trying so many nail products on the market these are the creme de la creme for me!

O.P.I Avoplex Exfoliating Cuticle Treatment - You need to look after your cuticles period, to avoid over growing cuticles and to help your polish go on smoothly, this product just helps exfoliate the cuticle then you just need an orange stick to push back the cuticle every time you do your nails.

O.P.I Avoplex Moisture Replenishing Lotion - This is a great lightly scented lotion to help moisturize and nourish your hands, keep it by your bed, in your handbag, in the car etc. so you'll remember to keep your hands moisturized at all times.

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat - This product is more about the finish of the nail, it is by far the best top coat I have ever used, it dry's instantly and gives the most amazing glass like finish to any nail colour and the shine lasts till you want to take it off, amazing.

O.P.I Avoplex Nail & Cuticle Replenishing Oil - you need to nourish your cuticles so they stay healthy and this is great for this, with avocado oil in it this help moisturise the cuticle area and is also great to put on after you have painted your nails to protect the drying process.

Leighton Denny Crystal Nail File - In the salon I have to use disposable nail files on clients but for homecare I recommend using a crystal nail file, I always say to my clients when they use those cheap emery boards not to saw with the nail file back and forth it can damage the nail plate and cause splitting. A crystal nail file is far healthier for the nail as you can get away with sawing the nail if you must wihout damaging the plate, it just turns the nail to dust and this Leighton Denny one is by far one of the best I used, just don't drop it on a stone floor!

O.P.I Original Nail Envy - Last but not least my knight in shining armour O.P.I Nail Envy this keeps my nails hard, strong and long if I want them, providing you use this just as they say, I have seen amazing results from clients using this. The only thing I'd say is this is not for toes.

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